The European Commission has approved €25 million package to support transition in Libya. It consists of three programmes focusing on sectors which are important for stability and for delivering on expectations of the people (Education, Health Care, Security and Rule of Law).

Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighbourhood Policy Štefan Füle, explained this funding by the commitments the EU made to Libya and its transformation: "The stabilisation of Libya is a key to allow democratic transition to take place according to the expectations of the Libyan people. With these three programmes the EU is bringing its diversity of experience and expertise to support the new Libya in setting-up their own solutions to their most pressing challenges."

The approved programmes will enrol early next year and will be financed from the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI) whereas:

the programme for "Technical and vocational education and training delivery and development" will focus on unemployed young people and will contribute to the integration of ex-fighters while fostering economic recovery (€6,5 million);

the programme on "Libya health system strengthening" will allow the government to improve the delivery of public services especially in the primary health care and community mental health care where in the post conflict context the needs are huge (€8,5 million);

the programme for "Strengthening democracy, good governance and civilian culture in the security and justice sectors" will help the Libyan government to deal with security, rule of law and reconciliation challenges (€10 million).

The EU´s aim in Libya is to help the transition to a democratic, stable and prosperous country. This also involves promotion of “deep and sustainable democracy”, based on strong, transparent and accountable institutions and a vibrant civil society.

Background

All three programmes are in line with the two Joint Communications of the European Commission and of the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy from 2011 "A new response to a changing Neighbourhood" and "A partnership for democracy and shared prosperity with the Southern Mediterranean" by focusing on:

Democratic transition and institution building; the three programmes are supporting stabilisation by empowering Libyan public administration as well as civil society organisations;

A stronger partnership with the people: involvement of the civil society, especially in policy dialogue, is an important part of all three programmes;

Sustainable and inclusive growth and economic development with the TVET component.

Facts and figures on EU-Libya relations

Since the beginning of the crisis, the EU has provided more than €156 million in humanitarian support and mobilised EU civil protection teams and assets to alleviate the plight of civilians, both in Libya and at its borders.

As part of of the Public Administration Facility (PAF), we also support the General National Congress (GNC). The programme for the GNC comprises a general introduction to all Congress members (mandates, roles of the NGC, organisation and procedures, work on national budget (urgent matters), law making process, representing and communicating with citizens) as well as workshops on specific issues.